A web place for epistles, sermons, homilies, and other spiritual and pastoral reflections of Fr John Brian Paprock, including Sunday sermons from Holy Transfiguration Chapel in Madison Wisconsin and links to articles published on-line. All images are from the archives of Fr John Brian. Most of them are photographs taken by him. Permission to use any of the content of this blog needs to be requested - frjohnbrian@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

On the second Sunday of Annunciations in the preparation for Holy Nativity, Mary is visited by Archangel Gabriel. Fr John Brian discusses the occasion with special emphasis on the spirituality of Mary.

To clarify this, Fr John Brian uses a list of the "qualities of a spiritual man" written by A. W. Tozer to help in our understanding of spiritual development by identifying qualities we may have and those we may yet lack.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, November 21, 2010 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

An hour long recording of the bible study gathering organized by Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish in Madison, Wisconsin. It was led by Fr John Brian on November 17, 2010 at Holy Transfiguration Chapel.

The text was the catholic Epistle of Jude. The study started with a comparison of bibles, including various English translations and the different scriptures included in the Orthodox Bible and the Peshitta (which is the Aramaic canon of scripture).

The Epistle of Jude deals with false teaching and teachers that "creep" into the church. Then, Jude discusses how to avoid the pitfalls of false teaching and stay true to the teachings of the One True Church.

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"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

On the first Sunday of Annunciations in the preparation for Holy Nativity, Zechariah has encounter of an angel. Fr John Brian uses the story from Luke Chapter 1 to talk about how we invite angels into our lives. Even so, we can be startled we there is a response to our prayers.

The angels say "Fear not." Fr John Brian then discusses Isaiah 41:8-15 appointed for Sunday of Zechariah, where God speaks through the prophet three times, saying "Fear not."

"Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I have strengthened you and have helped you, yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, November 14, 2010 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

On a Sunday of Dedication in the preparation for Holy Nativity, Fr John Brian's homiletic sermon examines the scripture lessons (Acts 7:44-53; Hebrew 9:1-14 and John 10:22-28) to discuss the reason for spiritual development and the energy of coming into God's presence.

When Jesus quotes Psalm 82 to the Jewish leaders who were questioning His divinity, only one verse is quoted but insight is gained when Fr John Brian uses Psalm 82 as a focal point in our relationship with God and His church.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, November 7, 2010 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission
Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

Monday, November 01, 2010

At the beginning of the preparation for Holy Nativity, the incarnation of God in the flesh, Fr John Brian's homiletic sermon examines the Gospel lesson from Matthew 16 (about Peter as the rock of faith and as a stumbling block) through the light of Isaiah 6 which is the prophecy reading appointed for the Foundation or Sanctification of the Church.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, October 31, 2010 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.